From Istanbul to Antalya: the Ultimate Turkey Itinerary

12 days
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Ever dreamt of gliding over Cappadocia in a hot-air balloon? Or getting lost in the Grand Bazaar? On this 12-day journey through Turkey, you’ll do precisely that, and then some. Your adventure begins where two continents collide in a glorious explosion of colour: Istanbul. After discovering the beauty of this cosmopolitan city, you’ll venture out to the tradi...

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Experience the chaotic wonder of the bazaar and markets of Istanbul
    • Journey overland across Turkey, stopping at key historical sites
    • Seize the opportunity for a Cappadocia hot-air balloon ride
    • Explore secret subterranean hideaways, deep in Cappadocia's volcanic rock
    • Hike through the Red and Rose valleys
    • Go river rafting in the Koprulu Canyon National Park
    • Swim in the turquoise waters off the sunny Antalya coast

What's this trip about?

    Ever dreamt of gliding over Cappadocia in a hot-air balloon? Or getting lost in the Grand Bazaar? On this 12-day journey through Turkey, you’ll do precisely that, and then some. Your adventure begins where two continents collide in a glorious explosion of colour: Istanbul. After discovering the beauty of this cosmopolitan city, you’ll venture out to the traditional capital Ankara and the curious troglodyte dwellings of Cappadocia, plus the wild Taurus Mountains and coastal serenity of Antalya. There’s also time for a food tour of Kadıköy, and the chance to marvel at centuries-old ruins in Hattusas.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 18 people
Age range25 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityIstanbul
End CityAntalya

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Turkey

Attractions

  • Antalya
  • Cappadocia
  • Istanbul

Activities

  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Nature
  • Rafting
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Short Cruise
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Wine Tasting

Trip includes

    • Three nights cave hotel accommodation
    • Three nights period mansion hotel accommodation
    • Five nights premium hotel accommodation
    • Private and local transport
    • Eleven breakfasts, one lunch, two dinners
    • Local Insider
    • Arrival airport transfer
    • Istanbul Old City tour
    • Grand Bazaar and Spice Market tour
    • Bosphorus ferry cruise
    • Istanbul food tour
    • Guided Anıtkabir visit
    • Museum of Anatolian Civilizations visit
    • Hattusas and Yazilikaya tour
    • Goreme Open-Air Museum tour
    • Zelve Valley visit
    • Pottery workshop
    • Wine tasting
    • Kaymakli Underground City tour
    • Rose and Red valleys hike
    • Mausoleum of Rumi visit
    • Mosque of Aladdin visit
    • Aspendos amphitheatre and Perge visit
    • Antalya Old Harbour walking tour

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Istanbul Pera

Activities Included: Welcome dinner

Upon arrival in Istanbul, you’ll be whisked off to a five-star hotel in the harbourside district of Karaköy. Here, our Local Insider will greet you at 6pm and accompany t...

Day 2: Admire the extraordinary architectural treasures of Istanbul

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Istanbul Pera

Activities Included: Guided Old City tour, Guided Grand Bazaar tour

Starting at the elegant Blue Mosque, our tour will lead you through the vibrant streets of Istanbul. This unique city is a melting pot of ...

Day 3: Discover the sights, sounds and smells of Istanbul’s two continents

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Istanbul Pera

Activities Included: Guided Spice Market tour, Bosphorus ferry cruise, Istanbul food tour

Today, allow yourself to be drawn into the aromatic pleasure of the Spice Market. Next, a hop aboard a ferry across ...

Day 4: Visit the traditional capital city, Ankara

Accommodation: The Wings Hotels Neva Palas

Activities Included: Guided Anıtkabir visit, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations visit

On arrival in Ankara, you’ll instantly sense the calmer, less touristy way of life – in contrast to the chaotic clamour of Ist...

Day 5: Experience the remarkable sites of Hattusas, Yazilikaya and Cappadocia

Accommodation: Utopia Cave Cappadocia

Activities Included: Hattusas visit, Yazilikaya visit

The capital of the ancient Hittite Empire was the mighty Kingdom of Hattusas. Discover this extraordinary relic from the late Bronze Age as you meander through hu...

Day 6: Marvel at the unique chimney stack rock formations of Cappadocia

Accommodation: Utopia Cave Cappadocia

Activities Included: Guided Goreme Open-Air Museum tour, Zelve Valley visit, Pottery workshop, Wine tasting

Optional Activities: Hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia, Rug weaving demonstration

Although optiona...

Day 7: Explore an underground city and hike the Rose and Red valleys

Accommodation: Utopia Cave Cappadocia

Activities Included: Guided Kaymakli Underground City tour, Rose and Red valleys hike

Optional Activities: Turkish evening entertainment

Tug on your hiking boots today. You’ll be exploring the Kaymakli Undergr...

Day 8: Visit the compelling city of Konya

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Konya

Activities Included: Mausoleum of Rumi visit, Mosque of Aladdin visit

Bid farewell to the Cappadocia caves as we drive on to the sacred city of Konya. Walk in the footsteps of the most famous Persian poet and great ...

Day 9: Stroll through the archaeological sites of Aspendos and Perge

Accommodation: Puding Marina Hotel

Activities Included: Aspendos amphitheatre tour, Perge visit

Widely renowned as one of the best preserved Roman theatres of the ancient world, the Aspendos amphitheatre was built during the reign of emperor Marcus Aurel...

Day 10: Explore the gateway to the Turkish Riviera, Antalya

Accommodation: Puding Marina Hotel

Activities Included: Old Harbour walking tour

Optional Activities: Termessos hike and tour

Today you have two options. You could hike to the ancient mountaintop site of Termessos, 1,000m (3,281ft) above sea level...

Day 11: Relax on the beloved beaches of Antalya

Accommodation: Puding Marina Hotel

Activities Included: Farewell dinner

Optional Activities: River rafting

As our tour comes to a close, it’s time to relax and take stock of everything you’ve discovered on your trip through the diverse Turkish lan...

Day 12: Depart from Antalya

After one final night at your hotel, your trip concludes. Say goodbye to your new-found friends at midday before either making your way back to Istanbul to catch your onward flight or continuing your exploration of this fascinating country.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,189
Price per day$182
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Culture Trip.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

,Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus , Istanbul With an unrivalled view across the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn, the Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus is the perfect location to admire the largest city in Turkey from the waterfront. A hammam and swimming pool await you after a busy day sightseeing. The Wings Hotels Neva Palas , Ankara Ankara city centre lies on the doorstep of this plush hotel on Küçükesat Avenue. Plush rooms feature fluffy bathrobes, slippers and flat-screen TVs. Breakfast is served in the dining room – or in your room on request. Utopia Cave Cappadocia , Cappadocia Staying in a cave has never been so opulent. Hewn from rock, yet with all the trappings of a modern luxury hotel, Utopia Cave Cappadocia offers a truly unique stay, with traditional hammams, a swimming pool and several terraces from which to savour its one-of-a-kind location. Hilton Garden Inn Konya , Konya Just across the street from the Mevlana Cultural Center, you’ll find the Hilton Garden Inn Konya. Classically styled rooms await, but not before you’ve sampled the local raki (a local spirit made from grapes and aniseed) in the bar. Puding Marina Hotel , Antalya This historic mansion has been lovingly restored as a boutique hotel, just a five-minute walk from Antalya Harbour and Mermerli Beach. Expect rainfall showers, contemporary rooms and a choice of excellent restaurants and bars, set among lush gardens.
Cancellation policy

The world of travel is changing – and that's why we’re offering flexible booking conditions, to take the stress out of booking in times of uncertainty. Our Ultimate Covid Booking Guarantee means that if Covid-19 changes your plans, we'll rebook you for free. If we cannot rebook you we'll refund your trip. You can get a full refund should you need to postpone or cancel your trip up to 35 days prior to departure. Or you can simply transfer your deposit and any funds paid to a different date without incurring any additional fees.For full details, see our Booking Terms & Conditions.

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Meals Included

11 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch & 2 Dinners

Age Requirements
25 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
cultur2-FroAntCul

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